The EU and Somalia announce "The New Deal for Somalia Conference", 16th September 2013

The Federal Government of Somalia and The European Union (EU) are to co-host "The New Deal for Somalia Conference" in Brussels on 16 September 2013. The international conference will endorse the "New Deal Compact" that will commit the Somali people and their international partners to a set of key priorities and new support for the reconstruction of Somalia over the next 3 years. The Conference is set to build on the momentum of progress and change in Somalia, supported by the recent international conferences on the country.

High Representative Vice President Catherine Ashton said: "The situation in Somalia has been transformed over the past year. There is now a real atmosphere of activity, emerging governance and hope. It is therefore more important than ever that the international community makes good on its promises of support for the Somali people. This joint event, co-hosted by Somalia and the EU, will establish the "New Deal Compact" as the foundation of the international community and Somalia's mutual commitment to a three year plan that can deliver peace, security and development to all Somali people."

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said: "On 16th September, Baroness Ashton and I will convene the New Deal for Somalia Conference in Brussels, and present to the international community the key political, security and developmental priorities for Somalia guided by the New Deal principles for fragile states agreed in Busan in 2011. All Somalis must seize this opportunity to galvanise international support to aid our recovery. We have this one chance to ensure that over the next three years we build on the momentum of progress and remove any threat of a return to anarchy and conflict. I hope the world will attend to pledge their support to secure this fast emerging success story."

The "New Deal Compact" to be endorsed by Somalia and the international community in Brussels in September is a milestone in the ”New Deal for fragile states” framework which commits national and international partners to jointly deliver on the most critical political, security and socio-economic priorities. The New Deal also includes a new financial architecture for Somalia based on mutual accountability and partnership. This New Deal process was launched on May 14th, 2013 by the Somali Prime Minister and is led by the New Deal Task Force, composed of the Federal Government, Parliament, the EU (representing the donors) and Somali civil society, together with a broad range of stakeholders.